By Sabiu Abdullahi
Two students were forcibly taken from their hostel at Federal University Wukari, Taraba state, on Monday night.
Late Monday evening, a set of armed assailants raided a students’ hostel situated along the Wukari-Zaki Biam road and kidnapped a male and a female student from the Microbiology and Economics Departments, respectively.
The brazen abduction has thrown panic into the university community and beyond.
Confirming the distressing incident, Mrs. Adore Auwudu, the University’s Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed that security forces, in collaboration with local youths, have launched a comprehensive search operation to locate the abducted students.
However, the abduction has reignited concerns raised by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jude Sammani Rabo, regarding the inadequate hostel accommodations, which not only jeopardize students’ security but also undermine their overall well-being.
Taraba State, grappling with the wider issue of insecurity plaguing the nation, finds itself embroiled in a disturbing pattern of violence and kidnappings.
The latest abduction serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for proactive measures to address the prevailing security challenges. Efforts to solicit comments from Taraba State Police Commissioner, David Lloyanomon, were hampered by his unavailability due to ongoing engagements.
However, in a text message response, the Commissioner noted the imperative of verifying the victims’ student status, reflecting the complexities surrounding such incidents amidst the tumultuous security landscape.
As investigations continue and the fate of the abducted students hangs in the balance, stakeholders are urged to redouble efforts in ensuring the safety and security of students within educational institutions across the region.